FORMER lovers John Lloyd Cruz and Shaina Magdayao were together for the world premiere of the Lav Diaz masterpiece Essential Truths of the Lake at the Locarno Film Festival in Switzerland.
The two were among the delegates who flew to Switzerland for the film screening. Based on the Instagram releases for the movie, Cruz and Magdayao were all smiles as they gamely posed for photos together with co-star Hazel Lorenzo, sparking excitement among fans.
Also in attendance were Hazel Orencio, producers Bianca Balbuena, Brad Liew, Joaquim Sapinho and Jeremiah Oh.
The movie is participating in the Concorso Internazionale or the main competition section of the film festival, which runs from August 2 to August 12.
According to the Film Development Academy of the Philippines, Essential Truth of the Lake is the only Southeast Asia film in the category.
The three and half hour-long movie centers on the life of Cruz’s character Lt. Hermes Papauran. He is trying to solve a fifteen-year-old case in an ash-laden landscape and around an impenetrable lake. It is set at the time of bloody murders during former President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs.
Diaz, meanwhile, clarified that while the movie is related to his 2022 film When the Waves Are Gone, the movies are not a “sequel or prequel of the other” and that “they’re independent of each other.”
The film also stars Bart Guingona, Agot Isidro, Susan Africa, Dido dela Paz, Reynan Abcede, Ivan Raborar and Paul Jake Paule.
Diaz is known for helming the movies Ang Babaeng Humayo, Lahi, Hayop (Genus Pan), and Norte, Hangganan ng Kasaysayan.
John Lloyd-Shaina history
The past romance of Cruz and Magdayao had been beset by controversy.
It was in 2010 when the actor first confirmed in an interview on now defunct entertainment talk show The Buzz that he and the actress were dating.
In November of that year, the couple became victims of a nasty rumor, which was then followed by issues challenging their relationship, including the actress’ controversial phone calls to Cruz’ ex-girlfriend Ruffa Gutierrez.
In 2012, the couple decided to call it quits.
Cruz is now linked to artist Isabel Santos. Magdayao has not gone public about whether or not she is in a relationship at the moment.
